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Author
Topic: Mac versus Windows (Read 13966 times)

I have a Toshiba laptop which is 7 years old. It still runs perfectly but cannot run Windows XP much less Vista. I would like to get a new laptop soon. Reviewers seem to love Macbook but my desktop, MP3 player etc are all Windows based and that's what I am used to. What do you guys who are knowledgeable about computers think? Macbook looks nice but it doesn't have a card reader and I take a lot of photos.

Mac is a superior platform PERIOD. However, I just bought a new laptop and it was an HP. Everything I have bought over the past few years is windows based so it was easiest.

Apple really screwed the pooch by not licensing its software in the 80's!! I would LOVE to have a mac but I didnt get one.

You CAN run almost everything you have for the windows on a mac though.

there... that should clear it up.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Unless you plan on playing very graphic intensive games I would recommend an Intel based Mac.You can dual boot to Windows to make use of programs not ported to Mac.I run Windows and Linux. My next Laptop will be a Mac. I've spent some time playing with it and really like it.High end games with extensive video acceleration will not run on the Mac.

Hi!! if i had money i would buy the best of both worlds! But since I'm poor, i stick with an emachines laptop, I'm running Windows and Linux(Kubuntu) too.

If you like windows, and know how to use it, besides you don't need extreme power, for graphics, video editing, gaming, Ill recommend a Laptop With Windows software. Toshiba is a really good brand! Maybe with an Intel Dual Core processor, or its equivalent on Amd(wich i prefer, Ive always been loyal to AMD).

Ive heard also of the option of running windows on a mac. Also the other way around, Running Mac OS on a PC, while Mac now uses Intel, it is easy to build a PC with Intel components and install Mac OS.

Mac all the way, baby! I used windows all during the 90's mostly but finally switched to a mac in 2001 and have NEVER EVER regretted it. I now have a iBook AND a an iMac.

GSO, I don't "get" your comment about the "card reader" -- that's a flash memory card thing? What is it you use, some kind of adaptor that plugs into your laptop? I take tons of pictures too and with a Mac almost all the drivers for various camera models already exist in the operating system, and the camera model you plug into the USB port is automatically detected and the photos are transferred into iPhoto, Apple's great photo imaging application which comes free with the computer.

Apple is totally worth the extra money IMHO though frankly I enjoy the iMac better than a laptop -- larger screen makes for better surfing, but if you need a laptop for business travel then you'll just have to get one. Also if you hold off until Spring the new OS X version will be out. Leopard

GSO, I don't "get" your comment about the "card reader" -- that's a flash memory card thing? What is it you use, some kind of adaptor that plugs into your laptop?

Most non-Mac laptops have a flash/SD card reader where you pop the card out of your camera and put it into the computer. You don't have to worry about having a USB cable or whether your camera is charged.

If you want to limit yourself, I'd suggest you buy a Mac. I'm not a fan of bill gates or his software, but I'll buy xp/vista any day. My PC blitzes those cruddy iMacs with their dodgey windows emulator.

I'm even happier with the intel-based MacBookPro which I recently got. There is also a program called Parallels which allows you to operate a virtual machine within Mac OS X. So, now I can run the one program that I have that does not have a Mac counterpart.

Visit a Compusa or an Apple Store and sit down and try out the Mac. Go to apple.com and you will find lots of information regarding digital photography, etc.

You can't load OS-X (Mac) on any old intel based PC (Well you can, but if you're that deep into it you wouldn't be asking which is better. Hacking the OS is a big job.)

Dual booting to windows on the new Intel machines is not running a "Crappy emulator" any more. You are literally booting Windows in a dual boot configuration.

The new Macs still do not support Direct-X9, therefore high end games will not run.

Why Mac vs Windows? The latest OS (Leopard) is Linux based, very stable, and quite nice as far as it's GUI. (Graphic User Interface, the way your desk top looks and functions) The draw back is a lack of applications. If you need to integrate to MS Office AND you are not quite proficient at tweeking settings to make things work, consider Windows.

Mac is also quite a bit more expensive. The Mac IS however the platform of choice for photo and video editing. I know I said Mac doesn't run high end games because of video issues, the problem is the games make use of Direct x which Mac doesn't support.

Vista, The GUI looks much like Mac. I've been Beta testing it for some time and the latest and final (in theory) build is quite stable. The GUI is nice. It is however a resource hog. Unless you have a very high end system you can not turn on all the bells and whistles.

As a primary computer I still have to go with Windows simply because of the applications available. If Mac ever fixes the Direct X issue I'm dual booting Mac.

Until then..... well right this minute I'm looking at 3 monitors with 4 OS's. (KVM Switch)

If you want to limit yourself, I'd suggest you buy a Mac. I'm not a fan of bill gates or his software, but I'll buy xp/vista any day. My PC blitzes those cruddy iMacs with their dodgey windows emulator.

And you don't know what you're talking about. The new intel chips can run windows natively, it's not an emulation except for applications not yet ported which can run under Rosetta (for example Photoshop, though the intel beta is out I think).

The only thing I would advise anyone sticking with a wretched PC/Windows box is if they are a serious gamer. If that's you, stay with Windows. OS X rips everything else a new hole though.

I haven't used a Mac in 12 years. What is it that people like so much better? Also, are there any web utilities or things that don't work on a Mac?

It's just plain better designed. It's not as bloated as windows (evidently the new version of Vista has TWELVE ways to shut down your computer... why is this needed?) and all I can say is when you use the operating system and applications you SEE how intuitive it's put together. It's altogether a different computing experience. It's also plainly why Mac users are much more fanatic about their computers. Plus because it's the one computer company that designs BOTH the hardware AND the software everything is well integrated.

Have you even gone in an Apple store and used OS X for a half hour or so? The two systems are like night and day -- take someone with you to the store to show you how to use it. Just toying with it yourself won't show you but so much, or make sure you get someone that works at the store that will take the time to show you more than a 3 minute demo.

What "web utilities" are you talking about? The good thing about the Mac community is the plethora of 3-rd party developers, much of it free or very low cost. Check out www.macupdate.com to see what I mean.

Macs are way overrated. Yes, they look sexy and they have a certain status among the 'elites'. If you can afford it, and are interested in your image/status, go for a mac. If you are frugal and practical, go for a pc.

They tend to be the standard for designers, artists etc, but i just don't buy the it's more intuitive line anymore. I've used both all my life, pc's at work and a mac at home (till the ex and I split). Way back in the old days, there was a lot of difference - working on a pc you used to have to remember strings of commands to do anything - remember, :\dos, or whatever it was just to get your pc kicking over. the mace interface already used different windows etc and could run multiple applications, and a mouse. But once Windows was developed, the distinction started to blur and imho they are very similar these days, unless you are an artist/designer running specialist programs.

One advantage of Macs is they tend to escape most viruses, but my banks internet site cannot be used with a Mac - they can't bea arsed developing it for such a small number of potential users (you may not have that problem in the US though, where the market of mac users would be that much bigger).

In my experience, Macs, actually freeze up a lot more, but I think most would disagree with that.

fearless, you're talking out of your ass. Macs haven't "froze" much since OS 9 which was what -- 6 years ago? What system were you using?

I was ALWAYS having to reboot on Windows. I might have to do it once a year on my iMac. If anything freezes it's one application, and it's quite easy to shut that one application down. Unless they've changed something in XP it seems when something freezes it chokes the entire system.

Anyway, I don't work for Apple and I'm not a salesman. But I find it funny when Windows users try to discuss Macs with only a peripheral amount of experience using them.

Darned right! I worked for years in programming in a windows environment and providing technical support in a corporation. In my business, we used machines and endured virus', spywre, XP freezing up, network security issues, etc. Then one day I bought a mac....and life was beautiful once again...then I bought another....and another...while its true you can pick up a low-end pc for $300, when you actually buy comparably equipped machines, the mac actually turns out to be cheaper. Then start adding up buying software for windows. By the time, you add all your time and trouble, the mac is clearly the better buy.

How many word processors do you need....how many spreadsheets...how many databases...I think you would be surprised at what is available for the mac - I have one specialized program that is only available for windows, but with the new macs it doesn't matter - you can run windows programs on the mac.

Just an outsider, throwing in her 2 cents. I understand that people like Windows for their own reasons like people like Mac for theirs.....to each their own...there really is no need for this thread to become ugly...I have never used a Mac nor do I know anything about it, if I get the opportunity, I would try it out.

I wouldn't have a Mac... unless you gave it to me. I have tons of of PC software, so why buy an overprice Mac so I can run what was designed for a pc? My current (D610) and previous (C610) Dell notebooks ran flawlessly. I went around 94 days without rebooting the C610 once... just as a test. PC's may have been unstable back in the early 90's, but not today, unless you've got a lemon or super cheapo, off-brand model. I support 8 (Windows-based) servers and around 30 notebooks and desktops (all Dells) at work and almost never have a hardware problem (maybe 4 in 6 years) and can't remember the last software issue we had. Also, Mac software may be available (so are parts for old Porsche 911's), but not nearly as accessible as software for PC's.

definately a mac. bought an iMac last summer and love it. OS X operating system is much more advanced than anything MS has put out. no reboots...no viruses (at least not yet)..computer boots up in less than 1 min...no windows lock ups...advanced file finder...bluetooth

apple is just so good at creating things that make life simpler and a MAC is a hell of a lot simpler than a PC.

yours truly, the MAC daddy

(ok, well not daddy)

Logged

"I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing."

I was using OS 9 - it is 5 years ago that I broke up with my ex. It froze constantly.But, I was not a 'peripheral' user as you suggest. We had a mac for 10 years, matey. I know both systems quite well. I just don't buy the line that Macs are simpler, more intuitive. My ex and I used to fight like cat and dog about it, but my experience was that they are pretty much one and the same. He's a graphick designer mind you, and it is the standard for that sort of stuff, as I said, but for me and what I wanted to do, very little diff.

I was using OS 9 - it is 5 years ago that I broke up with my ex. It froze constantly.But, I was not a 'peripheral' user as you suggest. We had a mac for 10 years, matey. I know both systems quite well. I just don't buy the line that Macs are simpler, more intuitive. My ex and I used to fight like cat and dog about it, but my experience was that they are pretty much one and the same. He's a graphick designer mind you, and it is the standard for that sort of stuff, as I said, but for me and what I wanted to do, very little diff.

like I said, that was OS 9, not OS X; the system was done FROM SCRATCH for X, it wasn't just an upgrade so yeah I still stand by my comment that you don't know what you're talking about. That system came out in 1999 and when Steve Jobs returned to Apple he threw that sucky system out the window. So no, you do not know "both systems" really well if you don't know OS X. You don't know what you're talking about and that's been my basic point.

I'm obviously going to need to go to an Apple store and get a salesperson to show me why a Mac is better than a PC. I have to say I have not had problems with my Sony desktop running Windows XP crashing. My laptop with Windows ME definitely gives me the Blue Screen of Death at times.

I'm obviously going to need to go to an Apple store and get a salesperson to show me why a Mac is better than a PC. I have to say I have not had problems with my Sony desktop running Windows XP crashing. My laptop with Windows ME definitely gives me the Blue Screen of Death at times.

Windows Me was probably the buggiest OS ever. I would have upgraded that to Win 2000 or XP LONG before now. It's also nice to have a variety of companies to choose from (PC's). The price range is better for PC's, too. The best part of using a PC, though, is watching Mac users get all defensive and their panties in a knot when you say a PC is superior!

I use a PC and I always buy something that I can fix, replace or upgrade easily. There are some computers I wouldn't touch. I won't buy a computer that has all it cards embedded into the motherboard. I want the sound card, dial up modem, video card, eithernet cards all separate of the mother board. I use XP professional and I like it a lot.

I definitely agree with David, Windows Me was the worst! I have had my Dell with Windows XP for 2 years now, not a bit of troubleMy daughter has an Apple laptop, she just loves it. I just can't get used to the simplicity of it

Review: ďUninspiring VistaĒ - http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/17992/page1/Erika Jonietz writes for Technology Review, ďIronically, playing around with Vista for more than a month has done what years of experience and exhortations from Mac-loving friends could not: it has converted me into a Mac fan.Ē

The review says "many electronic gadgets such as PDAs and MP3 players can only be synched with a computer running Windows." If that is true I'm going to have to stick with Windows because I love my MP3 player and I don't want to have to buy an iPod.